Bee Brave 5K

Bee Brave goes beyond fundraising events — it’s a powerful, supportive community of people. For 20 years, we have:

• Raised awareness for breast cancer research

• Supported those facing the disease

• Honored those we have lost

It’s a place of hope — a space to share stories, lift each other up, and celebrate victories big and small.

Real impact, right at home: Since 2016, Bee Brave has raised over $1 million to support breakthrough breast cancer research at Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids.

What makes Bee Brave different? Every dollar truly counts and stays local.

• 100% of funds raised stay in Grand Rapids, Michigan, supporting breast cancer research at Van Andel Institute

• 100% of events are volunteer run

• 100% of race registration fees go directly to research

No salaries. No overhead distractions. Just a shared commitment to finding a cure.

Powered by community: For nearly a decade, Bee Brave’s partnership with Van Andel Institute has helped fund critical breast cancer research — something that wouldn’t be possible without:

• Dedicated volunteers giving their time

• Local business sponsors supporting the mission

Every person involved chooses impact over recognition, ensuring every dollar goes where it matters most.

Stronger together with Purple Community: Bee Brave proudly partners with Van Andel Institute Purple Community — a grassroots program that connects individuals, schools, teams and businesses to the fight against diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s.

With tools, guidance and support to create meaningful fundraising efforts, Purple Community helps amplify every contribution. One hundred percent of every donation goes directly to research.

When & where

Join us on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 8:30 a.m., 7525 Alaska Ave. SE in Caledonia, Michigan on the property of Shagbark Farms (view map).

Please Note: Sometimes when the address is manually input, Google Maps will direct people to a location in Middleville near 100th St. which is NOT our location. If this is your first year, please click the link above or input “Shagbark Farms” to ensure you arrive to the correct location on Alaska between 68th St. and 84th St.

Alaska Ave. will be CLOSED promptly at 8:15 a.m. please arrive before then to ensure you can take part in the race.

How much?

• Click here to register! The cost is $30.

• To be guaranteed this year’s race shirt, you must register before Monday, Sept. 21.

• Early registration will close at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20.

• Late registration will be available online for $40 from Sept. 21 to race day.

If you would prefer to pay with check or cash, please use this form, make checks payable to Van Andel Institute, and mail them to the following address by Sunday, Sept. 2:

Van Andel Institute
Attn: Philanthropy
333 Bostwick Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Late registrants, please note:

A late registrant is anyone who has registered between Sept. 21 and Oct. 3.

• Late Registration Runners
  • Runners will receive a chipped bib and be eligible for age group awards.
  • Runners will not receive a T-shirt.
  • Runners will proceed to the bib pick-up tent on race day to receive their bib and show proof of online registration.
• Late Registration Walkers
  • Walkers will receive a participation bib but will not be timed.
  • Walkers will not receive a T-shirt.
  • Walkers will proceed to the bib pick-up tent on race day to receive their bib and show proof of online registration.

5K details

• Please plan on arriving at 7:15 a.m. to allow for congestion coming onto the property.

• Announcements begin at 8:30 a.m.

• Featured fighters speak at 8:40 a.m.

• Race to begin immediately following speakers.

• Refreshments are available after the race.

Packet pickup, which includes a race shirt and bib, will be on the field Friday, Oct. 3 from 4–6 p.m. If you registered on a team as a virtual participant, please reach out to your team captain to grab your shirt for you.

Race Shirt

Stay tuned for this year’s race shirt!

Awards

Medals are given to the top three in each category as runners finish. 
Top Male and Top Female runners get a $100 Visa gift card.
Age groups: Under 18 | 18–24 | 25–29 | 30–34 | 35–39 | 40–44 | 45–49 | 50–54 | 55–59 | 60–64 | 65+

So … what EXACTLY is a Team Buzz Warrior? And more importantly — how can you become one? Because let’s be honest … who doesn’t want to be a WARRIOR?

A Team Buzz Warrior is at the heart of what makes Bee Brave so special. It’s our signature fundraising challenge. It’s all about teamwork, community and impact.

How it works:

• Sign up as a team captain

  • Start your own team and rally your people: friends, family, coworkers.

• Your goal: $1,000

• Raise funds through:

  • Team registrations (in-person or virtual)

  • Donations to your team

• Hit your goal → earn the jacket

  • Raise $1,000 and you’ll earn the official Team Buzz Warrior jacket

The best part? You choose what the jacket means.

Keep it as a badge of honor or gift it to someone currently fighting breast cancer. Either way, it’s a win for everyone, especially the cause.

Think $1,000 sounds like a lot?

It might at first, but people show up when they understand what you’re doing and why it matters. You won’t be doing this alone. Even if you don’t hit the goal, every dollar raised makes a difference. Your effort still moves the mission forward.

Ready to step up? Become a Team Buzz Warrior. Build your team. Make an impact.

Let’s do this, together.

Below are simple instructions to set up a Facebook fundraising page to support VAI. It’s quick, safe and Facebook handles everything — receipts, reminders, all of it.

If just 100 people set up one fundraising page using the default $200 goal, we could raise $20,000, just like that!

Here are the instructions for setting up a fundraising page:

Desktop will be the preferred method, but you can create it on mobile. It is a bit more complicated on a mobile device, so we recommend using a desktop.

1. Open Facebook

2. On the side menu, find and select Fundraisers

3. Click Select Nonprofit

4. Search and select Van Andel Institute

5. Customize the amount to raise and length of fundraiser (recommend Nov. 1). Mobile does not allow the length to be edited.

6. Add Bee Brave behind your name in the fundraiser title (ex. Chris's Bee Brave Fundraiser for Van Andel Institute)

7. Edit the Why section with recommended verbiage and personalize team info name in text.

8. Edit fundraiser photo

9. Click Create

The course this year will return to part open road and part gravel/cross country course. Strollers and well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome.